Who would want to be the England manager? It seems far more trouble than it’s worth. The Three Lions’ new caretaker boss, Stuart Pearce, is now feeling the heat from the nation’s press, after his brother’s far-right views were once again highlighted by the newspapers. Dennis Pearce is a BNP activist, something that his brother Stuart has previously distanced himself from.

FA big-wig Adrian Bevington has also dismissed the story has having no impact on Pearce’s role with England. He said:

“There have been a few occasions where Stuart has been asked this specific question and, as an individual, he has made it clear that he is not involved in his brother’s political beliefs, in the same way as I’m sure that everybody who has siblings does not always share their political stance.”

“It is a matter for Stuart Pearce’s brother rather than Stuart, we would suggest. I don’t think we can get into the realms of being judgmental on someone because of what their brother or any sibling’s views may be.”

Interestingly, back in 1994, Pearce was reported to have racially abused England team-mate Paul Ince during a Nottingham Forest v Manchester United game, with ‘Psycho’ even apologising to Ince after the incident.

At the time, the PFA’s Gordon Taylor said:

“Stuart regrets what he said. It was said in the heat of the moment. He wants to make sure everybody knows he is sorry and hopefully that will be the end of the matter. I am sure Paul will accept the apology in the manner in which it is intended.”

Things would have, no doubt, been very different had he been caught doing the same thing now. However, the question remains, is this re-hashing of Pearce’s past an unnecessary complication or, in the current climate, a story which deserves to (and needs to) be re-told?

I think one of the most pertinent things is that Pearce actually apologised, unlike those oiks Suarez and Terry. And it as 18 years ago. 18. Years. Ago. Has Pearce ever shown any inkling that he may be a racist in that space of time? As for his brother being in the BNP, that’s irrelevant. They’re two different people.

@C Suarez admitted to saying clearly racist things to Evra, then tried to sugar coat it by saying “Its ok thats how we talk where im from”, so the FA had Uruguayans look at what was said, and they determined that it still would have been racist in Uruguay AKA Suarez knew he exactly what he was saying to Evra yet tried to hide behind the language. Scum bug move x2. Saying something in the heat of the moment and then apologizing, something suarez still has yet to do, is much different.

@ America I kinda of agree with you, but I have to say I would never use racist language. EVER. regardless of whether it is the heat of the moment or not….It just isnt in my vernacular…That said I don’t think Pearce is a racist!

I agree with America Davy–it’s far worse not to admit using racist language/remarks. The point of calling “someone” racist isn’t to mark them for life as an horrible human being, but to highlight an inappropriate use of hate speech. I’ll have respect for someone who does something stupid and then _sincerely_ apologizes and repents; that’s how you can “solve” these things (as much as can be hoped).